Music Monday - New Black Keys

Happy Halloween!! I have a busy and hectic day, that will hopefully end in a super fun night. Here is a rockin new tune from The Black Keys that will be getting some playtime around here today to keep me motivated.

Fall Craft - Acorn Felting

I've been falling in love with felt acorns. These cute little symbols of fall are all over Etsy and the blogosphere these days and I am smitten. I've never felted before, but being a pretty crafty mama I gave it a try and it was so easy!! I used this great YouTube tutorial:



First we gathered acorn caps from a local park- my 3 year old did this job and had a complete blast. Then I felted a ball (see video above); first with a felting needle then some more with soap. I used Dr.Bonner's Castile Soap- but dish soap works too. Finally, once the felt balls are dry, you hot-glue them into the acorn caps. I've never felted before, but I completely hooked- its so fun and relaxing.

We've been using them to decorate our fall table and they are so pretty and colorful. My youngest has also been loving them for practicing her counting and for make-believe play. I have plans to make some felted acorn garlands and maybe even some Christmas ornaments too.

Music Monday

Music Monday - A new weekly post where I share what music I am loving right now.

As the weather here turns cold and grey I often daydream about taking off on a big jet plane, so this song by Angus and Julia Stone has really been resonating. I first heard it last month, but the more I listen to it the more I love it. So haunting and beautiful and the video is perfect!! Enjoy

Bookish and Toasty

Fall always brings me back to one of my loves- READING. The cooler weather and shorter days call me to a quiet corner (with a toasty blanket) to read a favorite book.

This month I've read two gems:

World War Z : So spooky and perfect for Halloween. This tale of a world post-zombie invasion is beautifully told and really is a story of being human. I loved it, although it did make my moods a little dark and my dreams a little scary.

The Shanghai Girls : A captivating (yet heartbreaking) story about two sister from Shanghai who travel to the US in the 30's after being sold for brides by their father. I love the twists and turns that the girls lives take, and the perfect portrayal of sisterhood. It is a pretty sad story though, and it ends without finishing the story (it has a sequel) which annoyed me.

So what are you reading this fall? Please share :)

A New Direction

I've been struggling these last few months with feeling unfulfilled and unhappy with my blog. I'm also having trouble juggling a full time review blog and being a mom who isn't too "plugged in". The result of this has been me being absent from this space too much. I do miss being here and sharing, so after much thought I am taking this blog in a new direction. I will post less often (when it feels right for my family), and my posts will be more ME (green crunchy mama, frugal, crafty, foody, and hopefully fun). As a result I wont be posting very many (if any) reviews or giveaways. I do hope my lovely followers and readers will stick around, but I understand if you have to move on too.  

photo: me dune jumping at the Oregon Coast this summer

ps. yes I do look pregnant in this picture, but Its just the wind in my top (honesly...and maybe too many roadtrip munchies ;)

Blogger glitch?

Hey subscribers,
For some reason Blogger has sent out a giveaway from last April to my subscribers and followers. I'm trying to fix the problem, sorry for any confusion. So if you got a Burts Bees Giveaway from me- please dont enter :)
...more soon